Chairperson of Qatar Museums Opens Fables in Fashion 2026 at NMoQ

HE Chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani opened Fables in Fashion 2026 at the National Museum of Qatar, in the presence of HE Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari.

Organised by Qatar Reads, an initiative of Qatar National Library, the multidisciplinary artistic exhibition draws inspiration from Wahy Al-Qalam, one of the most prominent literary works by the late Egyptian writer and poet Mustafa Sadiq Al-Rafi’i (1880–1937). It reinterprets the book through contemporary fashion and visual art.

The exhibition is presented in collaboration with the National Museum of Qatar and as part of the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Culture. It will remain open in Temporary Gallery 1 until November 28, 2026.

The exhibition brings together seven fashion designers and 30 visual artists, each presenting a creative response inspired by the book. Participating Qatari designers and artists include Ahmed Al Zahed, Amna Al Misned, Wadha Al Athba, Ghada Al Suwaidi, Aliya Al Obaidly and Abdulla Al Fakhroo.

The fashion designers translated their literary inspiration into silhouettes, materials, embroidery, artistic construction, colours and symbols. The visual artists expressed their interpretations of the texts through painting, textile art, illustration, mixed media and other creative approaches.

The artists treat the literary text as a source for contemporary creativity rather than material to be translated into literal images. A literary passage becomes a fashion design, an emotion becomes a painting and an idea written a century ago is reinterpreted through a contemporary perspective.

The exhibition’s spatial experience draws inspiration from Egypt in the early 20th century and the cultural atmosphere of the Arab Nahda. This vision unfolds through an immersive journey across three interconnected environments reflecting Al-Rafi’i’s inner world and upbringing, the literary salons he frequented and the streets of Tanta, where he grew up.

HE Director of the National Museum of Qatar Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Thani said: “Fables in Fashion reflects the museum’s commitment to being a space where stories are told, shared across generations and reimagined through new perspectives.” He noted that the exhibition offers visitors an experience where literature meets heritage and contemporary design, opening the way for new audiences to discover Wahy Al-Qalam and the creative dialogue it continues to inspire across generations.

Tan Huism, Executive Director of Qatar National Library, said: “At Qatar National Library, we believe that reading does not end when a book is closed, but continues through the conversations, ideas and creative works it inspires.” She noted that Fables in Fashion embodies this vision and affirms the continuing importance of Arabic literary heritage and its ability to inspire generations.

Fatema Al Malki, Manager of Qatar Reads, said Fables in Fashion posed a question to designers and artists about how literature can become a starting point for contemporary creativity. She explained that the participating works offered diverse answers while each retained its connection to Al-Rafi’i’s words.

Al Malki expressed hope that the exhibition would encourage visitors, particularly young people, to explore the ideas that inspired the works and motivate them to read the book that served as their source of inspiration.

The exhibition forms part of the One Book, One Doha 2026–2027 campaign launched by Qatar Reads to encourage members of the community to explore a single literary work over two years.

Through its essays, stories and reflections, Wahy Al-Qalam examines themes connected to identity, society, morality, spirituality, relationships and emotions.

Source: QNA

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